Articles
Michael Shank's Muscle & A Shovel
A friend in Christ was kind enough to recommend & purchase this book for me. In her email, she requested, “All I ask is that you read it. I believe it will be another tool in your preaching toolbox.” Well, I like tools, so I could not wait for this book to arrive.
Whenever I receive a new book, I immediately go to the back & read what the book is about & what others are saying about it. Two paragraphs grabbed my attention immediately. 1) Muscle & a Shovel is a true story about a pair of young newly-weds who move to the city to chase the American dream. In the middle of their pursuit, they are befriended by a man who turns their beliefs about god, their church, & their faith upside-down. 2) One Baptist Preacher’s Response: This story provoked me on spiritual levels I didn’t know existed! Everyone who reads this story should be prepared to “fight or flee” – Muscle & a Shovel is one of those rare books that will raise your blood-pressure. You’ll either give it to everyone you know or put it into a shredder – there’s no middle-ground. This book just might turn the religious world on its ear!
This book is more than a good story with a happy ending. As a preacher of the gospel, I found it helpful for me in the areas of evangelism, new convert material, exposing religious error, & help with Scripture memorization. This book helped me to think back to my own conversion. Paul shared his experience before King Agrippa (Acts 26). This encouraged me to share more frequently my story, hoping it may bring someone to Christ.
This book will make clear how easy it is to share Christ with the lost. In this story, Randall responded like a Christian on his job, in his conversations, & in his approach for outreach. We now use this book as a supplement during our Saturday morning evangelism class. I am convinced that we all can do what Randall did & is probably still doing.
This book is loaded with chapters that are nothing more than Bible study outlines, which can be a good starting point when someone finally commits to a personal Bible study or the beginning of new convert material.
This book makes no apology for exposing the religious error found in many denominational churches. Unfortunately, I have been witnessed to much talk from Christians struggling to remain faithful in the body of Christ. There is talk of compromise & why members in denominational churches seem to be “friendlier”, “more loving”, etc. However, I believe this book is a “friendly” & “loving” reminder as to why many of us came out of denominationalism & became Christians in the first place.
Everyone with whom I’ve shared this book has nothing but positive things to say. I am confident this book will do what the author said it would, “Prepare to have your intellect, emotions, & existing beliefs set on fire!” Hence, let the record show that I am not suggesting this book supercedes Scripture & accomplishes in areas where Scripture fails, for the Scriptures never fail. Nevertheless, I do recommend this book as a valuable resource & help in our Christian walk.
- cb20140720.pdf (424.35 kB)
